Holders out as winners march on!

8 Oct 2016 By David Watters

After knocking out Southern League Challenge Cup holders Merthyr Town, Cinderford Town will be heading to Bishop's Cleeve after the draw was made for the second round of the competition.

The Martyrs, pictured lifting the silverware last season, lost 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday night after drawing 0-0 in extra time at Penydarren Park with The Foresters who were paired with The Mitres in Friday's second round draw at the league's headquarters in Gloucester.

Three first round meetings are still to be decided following this week's round of action with the single leg second round ties kicking off in the week commencing Monday 7 November. Where sides are level after normal time, ties will be decided on penalties without the need for extra-time.

Shortwood United and Larkhall Athletic fans should note that their tie has been moved back a week to Tuesday 15 November because of Athletic's county cup commitments.

Clubs who make it through the second round take a break from the competition until after Christmas before kicking off in the third round in the week commencing Monday 9 January.

For the full fixture list, visit the fixture pages under the 'match info' tab.

Southern League Challenge Cup Second Round Draw
Aylesbury v St Neots Town
Barton Rovers v Potters Bar Town or Chesham United
Basingstoke Town v Fleet Town
Bideford v Barnstaple Town
Biggleswade Town v Histon
Bishops Cleeve v Cinderford Town
Hayes & Yeading United v Uxbridge or Egham Town
Kidlington v Aylesbury United or Wantage Town
North Leigh v Banbury United
Northwood v Slough Town
Paulton Rovers v Weymouth
Royston Town v Chalfont St Peter
Salisbury v Winchester City
Shortwood United v Larkhall Athletic
St Ives Town v Bedford Town
Stratford Town v Leamington

* The EVO-STIK League Southern is looking for new sponsors of the Southern League Challenge Cup.

Officials announced in September that they were looking to team up with a new commercial partner to tap into the competition's long history and wide appeal.

Founded in 1894, the EVO-STIK League Southern is one of the oldest and most respected competitions in the game with three divisions playing at Steps 3 and 4 of the Non-League pyramid. More than 25 millions people live and work within the league's geographical boundaries with hundreds of news and media organisations covering the action of its members clubs.

For further information, potential sponsors should contact either EVO-STIK League Southern chairman Terry Barrat at chairman@southern-football-league.co.uk or EVO-STIK League Southern secretary Jason Mills at secretary@southern-football-league.co.uk.

Follow the EVO-STIK League Southern on Twitter at @SouthernLeague1

Where next?

Keeping coach is back as new boss New Histon manager Lance Key guided his new charges to 1-1 draw at Rushden & Diamonds in the FA Trophy on Saturday after succeeding Steve Fallon at the EVO-STIK League Southern's Stutes.

Midfielder's switch was no brainer Former Oxford United, Stevenage, Newport County and Gateshead midfielder Eddie Odhiambo has called signing for EVO-STIK League Southern Banbury United a "no brainer".